The Collaborative Bulletin is created by Jasmine P. Corena & Likhi Rivas | |
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October 2023 was a month to remember; WMCC’s Octoberfest was a success, seeing happy faces of children playing games and a surprise visit from the Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff's Officers handed out candy to the children at the center. Our Mark Twain program has been the highlight of the agency's effort to provide services to Mark Twain Middle School students. Activities included mental health education, social media safety, and self-esteem. These activities were presented by our two interns from Stanislaus State University, Victoria Torres and Elizabeth McCoy. Andrea Prado, LCSW, has provided guidance and learning experiences for both interns.
The youth drama program has a new name, the GREEN ROOM THEATER CLUB. The next session begins January 22, 2024; contact the office at 209-522-6902 for more information. VIBIN With West Modesto, Jasmine Corena, and Likhi Rivas's team interviewed Supervisor Terry Withrow, District 3 two-part series. To listen to the interview, tune in to KCBP 95.5 FM.
Finally, the agency is organizing our Annual Thanksgiving Food Distribution on November 21, 2023, from 11 am to 1 pm, and a Holiday Toy Drive is coming soon.
November 2023 will be rich with family activities.
Perfecto Muñoz
Chief Executive Officer
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2023 WMCC Octoberfest
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the community for their participation in our 2023 Octoberfest. Both community and staff members enjoyed the vibrant costumes and joy in each and every one of your faces! We hope that each of you enjoyed the games, popcorn, candy, and raffles that added excitement to the event. A special shout-out goes to the Stanislaus County Sherif's SWAT team, who made a surprise visit and brought even more joy to our spooky trick-or-treaters with extra candy. Your presence made this event all the more special.
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Community Outreach
This month, we'd like to spotlight our staff's active involvement in tabling events. These events help us connect with the community, learn about other organizations, and share information about our programs. Whether or not you can benefit from our programs, we're eager to engage with you and learn about your interests at these events. Don't hesitate to come by and say hello if you spot us! 😊
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WMCC Program Spotlight:
Mark Twain Program
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The Mark Twain program provides dynamic mental health education. It was developed to promote greater understanding about mental health, career planning, and community engagement. This year the group consists of 5 students in 7th and 8th grade from Mark Twain Middle School. It runs throughout the academic year, and they meet in-person bi-weekly.
The goal behind the Mark Twain group is to equip youth with valuable information and opportunities to enrich their life. This is done through creative activities like vision boarding and self-esteem bingo, along with more traditional methods like presentations and videos on each week’s topic. content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, therapy, or treatment.
The group has covered an introduction to mental health and self-compassion. In the future, other topics such as school and social media safety will be covered, and volunteer activities. The most recent activity was a positive affirmation pumpkin to paint and keep. At the end of the school year, there will be a special time for parents to come and celebrate with their children all they have learned and for the dedication they have shown.
Currently, the Mark Twain group is facilitated by Victoria and Elizabeth who are two students from the Master of Social Work Program at CSU-Stanislaus who are currently interning with the West Modesto Wellness Center. If you are interested in learning more about next year’s enrollment process, please reach out to Blanca at (209) 522-6902.
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Community Spotlight:
HAVEN Women's Center
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HAVEN has been a part of the community since 1977. We began with providing crisis line and emergency shelter for battered women fleeing their homes at a time when the term “Domestic Violence” was only a few years old. Today, HAVEN assists survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking of all genders, gender expressions, sexual orientations, and without regard to documentation status.
Our services include 24/7 trauma response, emergency shelter, safety planning, legal assistance and advocacy, peer counseling and support groups, and youth and community education programs.
HAVEN is a safety net agency. We do not require identification to access our services. HAVEN provides services to anyone who identifies as experiencing or having experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking. Over the past year, HAVEN assisted approximately 2,000 individuals.
There are several ways to access our services. Individuals may "walk in" to our Modesto and Turlock sites between the hours of 8:30 and 4:30 to speak with an advocate. They can also call our business line at (209) 524-4331 during our regular hours and someone will call them
back. Potential clients can also call in to our 24 hour crisis line for assistance. HAVEN staff are also housed at Community Services Agency, The Family Justice Center of Stanislaus, and at Stanislaus State.
HAVEN strives to bring awareness to these issues, not only to shine a light on behavior that thrives in the dark, but also to be a beacon for community members who need our help to begin their healing journey.
Help is a phone call away.
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If you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking, please call HAVEN on our business line at (209) 524-4331 or our 24 hour/7 day a week crisis line at (209)577-5980.
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Employee Spotlight:
Andrea Prado
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Andrea Prado Macias, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), a CSUS field instructor, a grandma, and an artist who has been a resident of Modesto for more than 35 years and attended local schools in the Stanislaus County. She has an associate’s degree in fine art and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Andrea received her master’s degree in social work at California State University, Stanislaus in 2016. In her spare time, she enjoys creating artwork, reading, spending time in nature, and with family and friends. She also loves spending time connecting with others at a cozy restaurant/café for brunch. Some of her favorite conversation topics are around mindfulness, simplifying, self-compassion, self-improvement, and organizational skills.
She began her role at WMCC as a clinician shortly after graduating and has been here since servicing our community; providing counseling services to children and families. Her passion in her career is around advocacy, empowering, and giving a voice to the vulnerable, oppressed populations and those living in poverty. She leans towards a strength-based, solution-focused, and empowerment approach to help others improve their well-being, reach their unique goals and full potential.
Recently Andrea attended an annual mindfulness leadership summit conference in Washington, DC, with the support of WMCC. During the conference, she had the opportunity to network, connect with others in the field, learn about current research, and experience hands-on practices.
One of Andrea's Favorite quotes: “For it is in giving that we receive.” – St. Francis of Assisi
Lastly, Andrea would like to share these additional resources links listed below:
While visiting DC, Andrea also went on two Washington DC Tours- You can view pictures and information here and here.
To learn more about the leadership summit Andrea attended please click here.
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Community News
Have something to share? For inquiries please email our Communications Director: Jasmine P. Corena
jcorena@westmodestocollaborative.com
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Stay Up-To-Date with West Modesto | |
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Vibin' with West Modesto
Join Jasmine and Likhi as they sit down and get to know Terry Withrow. Terry tells us little about who he is, his upbringing in the Central Valley, and how he became District 3's county supervisor.
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